Best Luxury Winter Honeymoon Destinations
When you picture your honeymoon, what do you imagine? For some, it’s white sandy beaches, snorkelling in turquoise seas and watching the sun go down, with your partner, cocktail in hand. For others, there’s nothing more romantic than a magical winter wonderland honeymoon.
Evoking images of snow-covered landscapes, frozen lakes, starry skies and steaming mugs of chocolat chaud, if you ask us, there’s nothing more special. What’s more, if you love outdoor adventures like skiing, tobogganing and hiking, naturally, many winter destinations cater well for this, making them ideal for active newlyweds looking for some fun.
There are of course many exceptional wintry destinations all across the globe that would make for an excellent honeymoon, but if you’re struggling to choose, take a look through our handpicked list of the best winter honeymoon destinations. Collated by our experts, these picks have been chosen due to their breathtaking settings and the luxurious and unique experiences on offer- perfect for creating special memories with your other half…
What are the best winter honeymoon destinations in the world?
Looking to plan your luxury winter honeymoon but need help picking the best destinations for that once-in-a-lifetime, magical experience? Look no further than our curated list below:
Iceland
Iceland is a truly spectacular destination, throughout the seasons, known for it’s breathtaking landscapes and varied scenery. There’s nothing more magical than Iceland’s Northern Lights, their beautiful green, blue and purple hues lighting up an otherwise jet-black sky. They’re truly a sight to behold, and what could be better than witnessing them on your honeymoon? Just be sure to book during the right season to give yourselves the highest chance of witnessing them (we can help with that). Northern Lights aside, there’s plenty to see and do in Iceland, from hiking its glaciers to exploring ice caves, and of course, relaxing in its famous hot springs, most notably, the Blue Lagoon.
The Dolomites, Italy
Situated in the southern Alps in the north of Italy, the UNESCO Heritage site of the Italian Dolomites is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful winter landscapes, and one of our favourite romantic winter honeymoon destinations. Of course, you’ve got the snow-capped mountains perfect for skiing or snowboarding, but that’s not the only thing that makes it a truly memorable place. It’s also home to a number of exceptional family-run hotels and incredible restaurants.
Switzerland
For that picture-perfect, cold-weather experience, you really can’t beat Switzerland as a winter honeymoon destination. Imagine chocolate-box villages, fairytale palaces (such as the romantic Gstaad Palace) and crystal clear lakes, all framed by towering mountainscapes - a dreamy setting for soaking up that newlywed bliss. Needless to say, many come for the excellent skiing, but if that’s not your thing, you can also enjoy ice skating, hiking, or simply indulge in a luxurious spa day at a five-star resort. After all, there’s no better time to relax and simply enjoy each other’s company than on your honeymoon.
Lapland (Finland & Sweden)
It should come as no surprise that Lapland makes our list of best winter honeymoon destinations. When it comes to the specific part of the region, you’ve got both Finnish Lapland, and Swedish Lapland, but either way, this destination truly encapsulates the atmosphere you’d hope for on a winter honeymoon. Think cosy, open fires, steaming mugs of hot chocolate, starry skies and incredible outdoor activities in the snow…
A real-life winter wonderland, in Lapland, you can enjoy reindeer-drawn sleigh rides, Northern Lights excursions, cross-country skiing and husky adventures, or even ice sculpting - the choice is yours. Accommodation-wise, you and your betrothed could even stay in a glass igloo - just perfect for gazing across glittering, star-filled skies.
Canada
A luxury holiday to Canada tops many couples' destination wishlists, but imagine enjoying a winter honeymoon here, surrounded by majestic mountains, vast forests and glistening, glass-like lakes. There’s so much to see and do in Canada, particularly if you like getting out and about amongst nature; it’s truly a winter outdoor lover’s playground. You can also combine a visit to the mountains with the buzz of a city, with Vancouver, Toronto and Quebec City - all home to numerous lively bars, fascinating museums, and top restaurants. As for one of our favourite, most romantic Canadian honeymoon destinations, Banff is a great spot, renowned for its fantastic skiing.
Japan
As far as winter honeymoon destination ideas go, Japan is up there as one of the most unique, boasting plenty to do when it comes to outdoor activities, cultural pursuits, and incredible gastronomical experiences. Be sure to stay in a ryokan - a traditional Japanese hotel - for an authentic experience and get used to long, blissful soaks in an onsen (hot spring bath). Alternatively, you and your partner might like to partake in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony or go on a foodie tour to sample local delicacies like freshly-made sushi and oyaki, aka Japanese dumplings. We’d also recommend heading to the Nagano region, renowned for the Jigokudani Monkey Park, where you can watch wild snow monkeys playing in the snow and bathing in the hot springs. Or, if you’d like to take in the coastline in combination with cosmopolitan city life and 5-star dining experiences, opt for a bespoke tour crafted just for you and your partner.
Top experiences for a winter honeymoon
Now that you’ve decided on your romantic winter honeymoon destination, you’ll want to consider the activities and experiences you might want to try together. These will vary from destination to destination, but here are a few of our favourite, most unique experiences you may not have considered…
Stay in a mountain rifugio
Ever heard of a rifugio? If you have, chances are you might be the type of couple that loves outdoor adventures, since rifugios are a type of classic accommodation for climbers, skiers or mountaineers who wish to stay up on the mountains. Often set in spectacular locations (such as the Dolomites), these are similar to small alpine inns and boast incredible vistas of the mountains. You can ski to your rifugio for dinner, enjoy the famous pink Enrosadira (the pale mountains turning from pink/red to violet as the sun sets) and wake to enjoy the morning sunrise. A truly magical honeymoon experience.
Try heli-skiing
If you and your partner are passionate skiers, turn your winter honeymoon experience up a notch with an exhilarating heli-skiing experience. Also known as helicopter skiing, heli-skiing involves n an expert guiding you to the most secluded, untouched spots on the mountain to enjoy spectacular glaciers and breathtaking landscapes, all while practising your turns. Whether you’re off to the Austrian Alps, British Columbia or the pristine slopes of Mount Olympus in New Zealand, we’ve got experts all over the world determined to make your heli-skiing experience a memorable one.
Share fondue under the stars
Who doesn’t like stargazing…and fondue?! If you’ve opted to spend your honeymoon in the Swiss Alps, why not treat yourselves to a beautiful fondue under-the-stars experience? The Chedi Andermatt offers an authentic fondue experience whereby you’ll snowshoe through a wintery wonderland to a cosy alpine cabin. There, you’ll be greeted with an aperitif and served an authentic Swiss cheese fondue.
Take a luxury train journey through the mountains
If you’re heading to the Canadian Rockies for your winter honeymoon and want to take in as much of the scenery as possible, the Rocky Mountaineer is a fantastic way to do it. The new Silver Leaf class provides luxury at-seat service and 5-star cuisine, while large dome-style windows feature throughout, allowing you to take in unbeatable views. Offering a varied choice of routes, you can book either a two or three-day journey travelling through must-see spots including Vancouver, Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff with an overnight stop in Kamloops.
Ice dining
In Swedish Lapland, you can enjoy a truly one-of-a-kind experience: ice dining. Taking place at the Treehotel, you’ll be transferred by snowmobile to a glittering icy lake, where a heated tipi on top of the ice awaits. Inside, you’ll enjoy an incredible three-course meal under candlelight, and you may even get a glimpse of the Northern Lights. What could be more romantic than that on your honeymoon?
Our top tips for booking a winter honeymoon
Booking a winter honeymoon is an exciting experience for both you and your loved one - after all, you get to spend quality time together in a new destination, enjoying unique experiences and sampling delicious food and drink. Exhilarating as it is, it pays to get organised and to plan some aspects of your trip ahead of time. At Scott Dunn, our friendly travel consultants are always happy to help.
Here’s our expert Jenny James’ top tips for booking a winter honeymoon:
- If your honeymoon involves skiing, pre-booking a ski guide or instructor is essential if you plan to take lessons or would like assistance getting to know the ski area - even if you fancy something more challenging off-piste! The guides will always know the best spots
- Travel outside of the school holiday periods when the destinations are quieter> Unsure when these are? Here at Scott Dunn, we can advise on the best times to travel to avoid the holiday periods
- If you’d like to experience more than one destination on your winter honeymoon, it’s worth knowing that many of our suggestions can be twinned. So, if you fancy a ski and city break or a two ski area honeymoon then there are some great possibilities
- Don’t forget to let your travel consultant know if you have a particular experience in mind, such as a luxurious 7-course tasting menu dinner with a private chef - we can help you plan it and make sure the experience is truly special from start to finish
- Remember that you don’t have to leave for your honeymoon right after your wedding. Plenty of couples take their winter honeymoon to their dream destination months afterwards, which gives you greater flexibility with dates, as well as something to look forward to.
- Some of these destinations can be challenging to get to, so ensure you leave enough time for travel
And finally, wrap up warm, take layers and don’t forget any thermal clothing!
Call us on 212 372 7009 to start planning
